Kedarnath Weather Latest Updates

Kedarnath is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India. Situated in Uttarakhand, it houses the Kedarnath Dham, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located at an elevation of around 3,583 meters above sea level and experiences extremely cold weather throughout the year because of its high-altitude location. Kedarnath Temple remains closed in winter due to hostile weather conditions.

If you’re planning to visit the holy site, Kedarnath weather latest updates can help you have a smooth and comfortable journey. Selecting the best time to visit Kedarnath can help you have a safe and hassle-free darshan.

Best Time to Visit Kedarnath

The summer months (May to June) are considered to be the best time to visit Kedarnath as the weather is pleasant and travel conditions are safe.

Season	Temperature Range	Conditions	Accessibility	Best For
Summer (May-June)	15°C to 25°C	Pleasant, clear skies	Excellent	First-time visitors
Monsoon (July-September)	10°C to 20°C	Heavy rainfall, cloudy	Challenging	Experienced pilgrims
Post-Monsoon (October-November)	5°C to 15°C	Clear, cold	Good	Photography, fewer crowds
Winter (December-April)	-5°C to 5°C	Heavy snow, closed	Temple closed	Not accessible

Summer Season

May to June is the best time for the Kedarnath Yatra. In early May or late April, the Kedarnath Temple usually opens, and the pilgrimage season begins.

Average Temperature

• Day: 10°C to 18°C
• Night: 0°C to 5°C

Advantages

• Pleasant weather that is ideal for a temple visit and sightseeing.
• No fear of cancellation of helicopter services.
• Trekking routes are clear, and roads are easy to travel.
• Rescue and medical facilities are easily available.

Challenges

• Heavy crowd
• You may have to pay high prices for transportation and accommodation

Winter Season

Alternatively, you can visit Kedarnath between September and October, before winter’s onset. You need to keep in mind that from November onwards, Kedarnath remains closed due to heavy snowfall and severe cold weather.

Average Temperature

• -15°C or lower

Challenges

• During the winter months, the roads become impassable, and the Kedarnath trek gets obstructed by heavy snowfall.
• The temple remains closed during the winter.

Alternative for Winter Darshan

Ukhimath (Omkareshwar Temple) is considered to be the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath.

Monsoon Season

The rainy season lasts from mid–July to the beginning of September.

Average Temperature

10°C to 20°C

Why Monsoon is Unsafe

• Traveling is not advised during these months as there are chances of unexpected landslides and torrential rains.
• Trekking routes become slippery.
• Sudden cloudbursts.

Major Risks

• Increased chances of accidents.
• Inaccessible roads due to landslides.
• Limited access to medical facilities.

Post Monsoon (September to October)

If you want to have a peaceful darshan of Lord Kedarnath, you can plan your visit during post monsoon.

Average Temperature

5°C to 15°C

Advantages

• Not very crowded, allowing you to have a peaceful darshan.
• Enjoy surreal views of the mountains and breathtaking landscapes.
• Best for meditation, sightseeing, and photography.

Disadvantages

• As post monsoon is the time when the season ends, the accommodation is limited.
• Becomes very cold at night.
• In late October, the temple may close.

Why Choose the Right Time for Visiting Kedarnath?

It is important to choose the right time for visiting Kedarnath, as it is situated at a very high altitude and it experiences cold weather throughout the year.

• Landslides and heavy rainfall are common in Kedarnath.
• The weather changes suddenly.
• Roads may become impassable during heavy snowfall, and trekking routes may be closed without any prior information.
• At high-altitude the level of oxygen is low.

If you visit during the wrong season, you may have to deal with:

• Health-related complications such as altitude sickness.
• Cancellation of the helicopter.
• Suspension of the trek route.
• Closing of the temple.

Month-wise Kedarnath Climate Conditions

• January: The weather is very cold in January in Kedarnath, and the average temperature ranges from -3 to -10 degrees Celsius.
• February: February is very cold in Kedarnath, and the average temperature ranges from 1 to -9 degrees Celsius.
• March: Winter season ends in March, and the average temperature ranges from 2 to -6 degrees Celsius.
• April: The summer season starts in April, and the average temperature ranges from 5 to -3 degrees Celsius.
• May: During May, the weather is pleasant for sightseeing and temple darshan. The average temperature ranges from 9 to -1 degrees Celsius.
• June: The summer season ends in March in Kedarnath, and the average temperature ranges from 11 to 3 degrees Celsius.
• July: Kedarnath experiences heavy rainfall in July, and the average temperature ranges from 12 to 6 degrees Celsius.
• August: Kedarnath encounters the highest amount of rainfall in August, and the average temperature ranges from 12 to 7 degrees Celsius.
• September: Monsoon season ends in September, and the average temperature ranges from 12 to 5 degrees Celsius.
• October: The winter season starts in October, and the average temperature ranges from 8 to -1 degrees Celsius.
• November: During November, Kedarnath experiences sub-zero temperatures and freezing weather. Due to heavy snowfall, the temple is closed during this month.
• December: The weather is pleasant in December, with the average temperature ranging from around 1 to 8 degrees Celsius.

Best Time for Kedarnath Trek

Ideal Time: September, May, and June

Avoid July and August(unpredictable weather and slippery roads)

Tips: Acclimate yourself to avoid altitude sickness.

Best Time for Helicopter Yatra

Ideal Time: September and May to June

Benefit: Pleasant weather, ideal for sightseeing.

Tips: Check Kedarnath’s climate conditions before undertaking the helicopter yatra.

Best Time to Visit for Senior Citizens

Ideal Time: May to June and September.

Advantages

• Pleasant weather.
• Helicopter services are easily available.
• Better availability of medical services.

Best Time to Visit for Nature Lovers and Photography

Ideal Time: September to early October

Advantages

• Lush greenery and breathtaking landscapes.
• Crystal-clear sky and good climatic conditions.

Kedarnath Travel Weather Advisory FAQs

Q-1: When does the Kedarnath temple open?

Ans: Kedarnath Temple opens in May after staying closed for around 6 months. This marks the start of the pilgrimage season.

Q-2: Why should you avoid visiting Kedarnath in the monsoon?

Ans: You should avoid visiting Kedarnath in the monsoon, as there are chances of heavy rainfall and landslides making travel unsafe.

Q-3: When does the Kedarnath Temple remain closed?

Ans: The Kedarnath temple remains closed during the winter season (November to April) due to heavy snowfall.

Q-4: When is the best time to visit Kedarnath for a peaceful temple visit?

Ans: For a peaceful temple visit, you should plan your Kedarnath yatra during the autumn (September to October). Kedarnath is not very crowded during this time, allowing you to have a peaceful darshan.

Q-5: Why do you need to know about Kedarnath weather latest updates?

Ans: Since the weather in Kedarnath is unpredictable, you need to know about Kedarnath weather latest updates to have a safe and fuss-free yatra.

Q-6: What is the best time for the Kedarnath helicopter yatra?

Ans: September and May to June is the best time for the Kedarnath helicopter yatra as the weather remains pleasant and helicopter services are easily available.

Q-7: What is the alternative for Kedarnath darshan in winter?

Ans: Ukhimath (Omkareshwar Temple) is considered to be the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath. In winter, Kedarnath’s idol is shifted to this temple.

Q-8: Why should you avoid visiting Kedarnath in bad weather?

Ans: If you visit Kedarnath in bad weather, you may have to face health-related complications, cancellation of the helicopter, and suspension of the trek route.

Q-9: When is the best time for undertaking the Kedarnath trek?

Ans: September, May, and June are ideal for undertaking the Kedarnath trek due to the pleasant weather and easily accessible treks.

Q-10: What are the challenges of visiting Kedarnath in winter?

Ans: During the winter months, the roads become impassable, and the Kedarnath trek gets obstructed by heavy snowfall. The temple remains closed during the winter.